FRANKFORT— With only a few days remaining before the legislature breaks for the veto recess, the pace in Frankfort has intensified. After six weeks of legislative work, we are seeing more bills move through committee and reach the Senate floor. Each day brings important debates, key policy decisions, and efforts to shape the future of Kentucky. This past week highlighted the fast-moving and high-stakes nature of the legislative process as we tackled pressing challenges and advanced initiatives that will benefit communities across the commonwealth.
One measure I was pleased to see gain Senate approval was Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 (SCR 67), which I proudly sponsored to strengthen Kentucky’s disaster preparedness. Communities across the commonwealth, including my district, have faced repeated extreme weather events. Floods, tornadoes, and ice storms are no longer rare occurrences. We must take proactive steps to prepare rather than simply react when disaster strikes.
SCR 67 establishes the Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force to study evolving risks, improve emergency response, and strengthen infrastructure. In committee, we heard sobering testimony about the financial burden these disasters place on our state. Recent flooding alone cost $58 million in public assistance, consuming nearly half of Kentucky’s annual disaster response budget. We need a long-term strategy that not only protects our people but also ensures financial stability for the state.
I am proud that SCR 67 passed the Senate quickly because Kentucky cannot afford to wait. We must be ready not just to respond to disasters, but to build stronger and safer communities for the future.
Another important measure I was thrilled to see advance in the legislative process is Senate Bill 58, which I also sponsored. This bill allows members of Kentucky’s state-administered retirement systems to designate a special needs trust as the beneficiary of their retirement benefits. This ensures individuals with disabilities can receive financial support without losing eligibility for critical government programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. It is a commonsense solution to help families plan for the future, and I was pleased to see it pass with unanimous support. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to see it through to final passage.
While I was proud to support these measures, there were also bills that raised concerns. Senate Bill 6 makes significant changes to Kentucky’s SEEK school funding formula, altering how student attendance is calculated and impacting funding adjustments for suspended or expelled students, weather-related closures, and school employee benefit costs. While the goal is to refine funding distribution, I am concerned that SB 6 could undermine financial stability for schools, disproportionately harm vulnerable students, and create unintended inequities for rural districts that often face attendance challenges due to weather and other factors. For these reasons, I voted no. Despite my concerns, the bill passed the Senate 31-7.
Senate Bill 162 updates unemployment insurance policies by requiring the Education and Labor Cabinet to refer cases to law enforcement based on suspicion of fraud, even before an administrative review is complete. It also mandates termination for public employees who improperly receive benefits. While addressing fraud is important, the bill lacks clarity on how suspected cases are handled, potentially leading to referrals and penalties without due process. Greater safeguards should be in place to ensure administrative resolution before escalating to law enforcement. Due to these concerns, I voted no, but the bill passed 31-7.
Senate Bill 9 updates sick leave policies for public school teachers and employees, including rules for accruing, using, and donating leave. While the bill allows employees to donate sick leave to colleagues with extended absences and clarifies how unused leave transfers between districts, I ultimately voted against it because it creates uncertainty for teachers. Many educators have saved their leave for years, expecting it to count toward their pensions, but this bill could lead to policy changes that reduce their hard-earned benefits. Instead of supporting teachers, it adds stress and financial risk for those planning their retirement. Despite my no vote, the measure passed 31-7.
Senate Bill 257, the Kentucky DOGE bill, seeks to create the Office of Government Efficiency within the Auditor of Public Accounts to review state agencies for cost-effectiveness and performance. It also reorganizes the Auditor’s Office by adding new divisions for audits, financial management, and citizen services. Despite some concerns, I believe Auditor Allison Ball has done a good job, and given her support, I voted in favor of the bill, which passed 32-6.
Several other measures received broad or unanimous support due to their positive impact on Kentucky’s economy, education system, and public safety. Some of the bills I supported during the sixth legislative week include:
- SB 1: Establishes the Kentucky Film Office to attract film production in the state.
- SB 3: Updates Kentucky’s NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) laws for student-athletes.
- SB 68: Revises academic standards to better prepare students for success.
- SB 181: Sets clear guidelines for communication between school employees and students.
- SB 38: Authorizes the use of school bus cameras to catch drivers illegally passing buses.
- SB 117: Creates incentives for city police officers to receive advanced training.
- SB 130: Expands fraud protections including gift card scams under Kentucky’s statutes.
- SB 144: Allows firearms used in homicides to be destroyed rather than resold.
- SB 218: Enhances financial transparency requirements for local governments.
- SB 93: Expands insurance coverage for children’s hearing aids.
- SB 190: Updates regulations on charitable gaming.
Each Senate measure approved now moves to the House for further debate. For an in-depth review of the bills passed thus far, I encourage you to visit the legislative record online by visiting the Legislative Record at LEGISLATURE.KY.GOV. There, you can also review the progress of other legislation and delve into all the bills filed this session.
Time is moving quickly in this 30-day session, and with only a handful of legislative days remaining before the veto recess, we are reaching a critical phase. The Senate has spent the bulk of this session advancing its priorities, and soon we will begin reviewing a hefty amount of bills sent from the House. This period is pivotal, as both chambers must align on key issues, negotiate differences, and determine which measures ultimately make it across the finish line.
I encourage you to stay engaged in the legislative process—your voice matters. Whether you’re advocating for your community, your profession, or an issue close to your heart, your input helps shape the decisions that impact us all. Please reach out to share your thoughts and perspectives. I can be contacted by email at SD18@cm.kylegislature.govor through the General Assembly Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 711.
